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What a no-injury claim covers
A property damage claim usually covers the cost to repair your car, or its value if it is totaled. It can also include towing, storage, a rental car while yours is in the shop, and personal items damaged inside. What the insurer will pay for each depends on the policy and the facts; a lawyer can check.
If your car is repaired but now worth less because it has an accident history, you may have a diminished value claim. See diminished value claims in California. If the car cannot be repaired, read car totaled when not your fault. Both pages explain how insurers value a car and what records help you push back.
Whose insurance pays
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance should pay for your property damage. California’s minimum property damage coverage for policies issued or renewed since January 1, 2025 is $15,000 (Vehicle Code 16056). Newer cars can cost more than that to replace, so the minimum may not cover everything. Ask the insurer for its limits.
You can also go through your own collision coverage, which may be faster. You may pay your deductible first and then try to get it back from the other driver’s insurer. See paying your deductible and whether your rates go up. If fault is shared, California’s comparative fault rule reduces each side’s recovery by its share (Li v. Yellow Cab Co.).
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Tell us what happened. We will tell you plainly whether there is a case and what to do next. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Reporting the crash
Even without injuries, you may have to report the crash. A California driver in a crash causing more than $1,000 in property damage, or any injury or death, must report it to the DMV on form SR-1 within 10 days, whether or not they were at fault (Vehicle Code 16000). Get a repair estimate before you decide the report is not needed.
Report the crash to your own insurer promptly too, as your policy likely requires. Give the facts and stick to them. If police did not come, write your own notes about what happened while you still remember the details, and keep them with your photos. Note the time and place.
What to do now
Take photos of both cars, the scene and any damage inside your car. Get the other driver’s name, plate, license and insurance, and the names and phone numbers of witnesses. Write down your claim number. Get a written repair estimate, and keep receipts for towing, storage and rental costs. Save the estimate.
Pay attention to your body for the next several days. Neck and back pain often show up later; see when injuries can appear. If you develop pain, see a doctor and tell the insurer you are being treated. Do not sign a release that covers injuries, or give a recorded statement, before talking to a lawyer.
Deadlines
In California, a lawsuit over damage to property such as a car generally must be filed within three years (Code of Civil Procedure 338). If you turn out to be injured, the deadline for an injury lawsuit is generally two years (Code of Civil Procedure 335.1). The shorter deadline is the one to watch.
Most property damage claims settle without a lawsuit. If you were hurt, or the insurer refuses to pay fairly, call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 or use the form. You owe no fees or costs unless we win. We can look at whether your injuries are connected to the crash and what the insurer still owes.
Common questions
Can I get a settlement if I wasn’t injured in a car accident?
Yes, for your property damage. That usually means repair or replacement costs, towing, storage and a rental car. You can claim through the at-fault driver’s insurer or your own collision coverage. Coverage details depend on the policy.
Do I need a lawyer for a property-damage-only claim?
Many people handle these on their own. If the insurer denies fault, the damage is more than the other driver’s coverage, or you start to feel pain, talking to a lawyer can help. Injuries change the claim and its deadlines.
What if I sign a property damage release and later feel pain?
Read what the release covers before signing. Some releases are limited to the car; others cover all claims from the crash. If a release covers injuries, signing it could end your injury claim. Ask a lawyer before signing anything.
How long do I have to file a property damage claim in California?
A lawsuit for damage to property such as a car generally must be filed within three years. Insurance claims should be reported right away. If you were also injured, the injury lawsuit deadline is generally two years.
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Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
The insurance company made a lowball offer: how to respond · Should I accept the first settlement offer after a car accident? · How long does a car accident settlement take? · Is a car accident settlement taxable? · Car totaled when the accident was not my fault: what happens now · All car and truck accident questions
Sources
Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.